Final Reading Response

Reading Response 8

            After leaving class on Tuesday I drove home thinking about this modern era that we live in and whether we have or are moving into the next era. Is there a true signal of this change? Or is it for historians and history students to debate decades from now. This is just a response to our class discussion and ideas that I feel would be the new era.

            With the boom of the industrial revolution we not only saw the mass production of goods, but we saw the development of pollution from the abundance of fossil fuels being burned. This came from factories and the automobiles that developed at this time. With the increasing awareness of the rise in global temperatures and the developing extremes of weather, I believe part of the new era will mean alternative fuel sources. The next era will see cleaner burning fuel sources such as solar and wind power. If we are to remain on this planet enjoying life we will have to develop a new way of fueling industry.

            This new cleaner alternative fuel will be something that will unite the world. Because I realty, this is not a first world, second world, or third world problem, it is everyone’s problem.

            Each era up until now has seen repeated colonization and wars resulting in the deaths of hundreds of millions of people. This next era will be a more peaceful one. The next leaders of the world will have learned and studied the terrible things that each nation across this planet has either participated in and will see that we need to move away from that. The world will finally be united. Not with just organizations like the United Nations. I am talking about truly united, not just willing to help people because their country is within are best interest to help us stay afloat. This next era will see not more wars and blood shed.

            Finally just these two ideas can be summed up by one thing, education. This next era will be a more widely educated era. One that will help develop civilizations across the Earth for generations to come, or until its time to move into a new era.

            

Reading Response 7

Reading Response 7

            In answering any of these questions, it is hard to put anything in a positive light because of the millions of people that died during these two wars. However, there are probably very few changes in human history that have not come about after the death of many people. The world wars were the motor of change for many countries moving forward into the twentieth century.

            Following World War II Great Britain was weak. Although a victor in terms of the outcome of the war the country now had to rise from the ashes and pull itself back together. As Strayer noted that the war had weakened the will and ability of European powers to hold on to their colonies. These colonies were African. Having helped in the war efforts, people from these colonies had seen the way of life in other regions. They had seen how people who before were viewed as better than those in the colonies were really not that different. “Colonial subject everywhere were very much aware of the U.S. president F.D.R. and British Prime Minister W. Churchill had solemnly declared in 1941 that we respect the right of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they will live” (652). This idea even if unintended opened up the door for African nations long held under the thumb of European countries could now make the steps towards independence and democracy.

            Quite possibly the most important change to modern history was the development of the United State as a world superpower. Prior to 1945 the center of the world and the majority of its power had always been East of the Atlantic. Now decimated by two world wars in one generation the United States was left to help Europe. The United States was the only country involved in the war that was left intact. America was now beginning to lend money to Europe in an effort to help in their rebuilding process. As Strayer pointed out this was to make sure there was not a second Great Depression. With Europe getting back on its feet American’s were now in the industrial drivers set with factories being able to make goods to sell over seas. I also think that one could argue that the United States development as a super power began by showing its might in WWI. It was not until America’s evolvement that our allies began seeing more success on the battlefield. If not for the great depression during the 1930’s America may have become the dominant superpower sooner.

            

Reading Response 6

Reading Response 6

            In response to question three at the end of the chapter 17, I would have to say that the chapter supported the statement that the influence of revolutions endured long after they ended.  The first example was the domino affect of revolutions around the Atlantic Ocean. As the success was seen that change could happen, and those who felt that they were being oppressed by their government could rise up to promote change and new era of society within their respective country. As pointed out in Stryaers book, the next example of the long lasting effect was the abolishment of slavery. In this we saw a race of people being denied the chance to be free and be given the same opportunity to succeed or fail that like anyone else. This issue was felt so strongly about that family members killed each other in order to help make change within our country. The last example that Strayer gave was not as violent. Women’s suffrage was also a revolutionary idea. If it were not for the people centuries ago that fought for change the following subsequent moments in history would likely not have happen either. In closing I would take this one step further and say that during our time now the issue of gay rights is the next revolution to happen. This revolution will cross both political and religious boundaries. Once this issue has been changed for the better there will be a new group of people who will be or feel oppressed. In closing these revolutions have endured because they have laid the foundation for all forms of revolution that have and will follow. 

Reading Response 5

Reading Response #5

            When thinking about why people are taught about history in school the reoccurring idea is so that maybe we will learn from it and not continue the same cycle over and over again. Reading through this history book like so many other history books we are constantly shown the effect religion plays in everything. Whether it is a childish as people believing their form of God is better than the next persons, or that it is God’s will for one civilization to move forward and take over another.  If we are to learn from history and change the way in which we move forward we must learn to recognize that religion is what charges a lot of the hatred and violence towards each other.

            To make progress in a positive direction it would be nice to see India’s famous emperor Akbar studied more in schools. I will be the first person to admit, prior to reading Strayers book I don’t think I have ever come across anything about Akbar. Other than a guy by that name that I played football with I don’t think I have ever even heard that name.

            In my opinion, after reading these few paragraphs about Akbar and his way of ruling on pages 424 and 425 he had the right idea. Creating a policy of tolerance is the way to go. Akbar a Muslim defeated the Hindus in the region. Rather than making the majority of the population convert to Islam, Akbar allowed for their practices to continue as they always have. In fact, as Strayer pointed out he actually toned down some of the parts of the Muslim religion. “…deliberately restraining the more militantly Islamic ulama and removing the special tax on non-Muslims” (Strayer 424). This willingness to make things equal made this time comfortable for both sides.

            In contrast, this short period of time was inevitably shattered because some people just do not see things in this light. People do not believe each person can have their own god or way of thinking and just move on. The emperor following Akbar reversed his policies and imposed Islamic supremacy. So here we see history repeating itself nobody being able to keep the peace.

            Unfortunately our history as humans for all our achievements has been riddled with millions of deaths all in the name of religion. Until we begin to understand the effect religion has on our day to day lives and live to respect the values of each other like Akbar tried back in 16^th century, we will only continue adding to the pages of the same history book instead of creating a new chapter.

Reading Response 4

Reading Response #4

            What started in the world religion and Islam class here at NDNU has continued will reading chapter 11 on Islam. I am fascinated by the religion and all of the history behind it. I personally am a Roman Catholic by birth, but do not practice my religion. In fact, at this point I do not have any place for religion in my life, so I am not looking to make a move to the Muslim faith. This is just to get my thoughts out about what strikes me about the history of Islam.

            When I first entered into these classes to learn about the Muslim religion I really knew nothing about it. The bulk of what I did know is what you hear about on the news, that small 5% or less of Muslim extremist terrorists groups. It is fair to say that my view was very swayed. I can say now that I do have a greater respect for the religion.

            The first thing that struck me was the amount of history that there is about the man who started it all, Muhammad. Now this may be because I was raised catholic and did the hole alter boy thing as a child, but Jesus never just seemed like a man. Jesus always seemed divine from the start and could do no wrong. This also the fact there is a decent amount of Jesus life that is unaccounted for. On the other hand Muhammad seems to be just a normal guy doing his best to live life like anyone else. He was a hard worker working for his uncles company traveling across the desert. He eventually married a rich widow. These are just some simple facts about his life that to me bringing him closer to those who read about him.

             Now normally, when it comes to the stuff about him meeting God I would begin to loose interest. However, the imagery with which the stories speak makes it very interesting. I was intrigued with the story of Muhammad traveling through the different layers of heaven to meet God. I found it very interesting that so many profits were shared in this story and that Jesus was recognized as one of them. I just thought it was pretty cool that all three religions that stem from Abraham were represented in this scene.

            Finally, the fact that Muhammad was a warrior when he had to be was fun to read about. Now from a small percent of people in the world, nobody wants to fight or go to war with anyone. Muhammad fell into this group of people who only fought when there was no other way. For me when reading about these battles and the way in which the Quran interprets when fighting is required struck me. According to the news, Muslims are looking to strike down any person that does not follow Muhammad. In fact that is not the case. The only time it is ok to fight according to the Quran is if someone is threatening his or her way of life directly and there is no other choice.

            In conclusion, I know that this is not really an in depth look into any particular part of the Muslim faith. Instead I decided to share how these readings and the previous religion courses opened my eyes about one of the world biggest religions. 

Reading Response 3

Reading Response 3

How would I respond to the idea that China was self-contained or an isolated civilization?

            Prior to reading Chapter 8 on China I’m totally honest when I say that I don’t think I knew anything about them during this time period. The only thing I can say for sure is that I knew the Great Wall of China was built during this time period. By who or why I had no idea. After reading the chapter I came across the question I copied at the top of the page. I would have to say that the Chinese were not an isolated self-contained civilization.

            The Chinese relied on different cultures for the success of their own. For example, as Strayer points out the nomadic people of the North had the ability to master horse riding. This skill not only was crucial to the success of the Chinese military, but these horses were only coming from this land North of China. Without these horses the Chinese military although large in number, would not have been able to protect its borders on foot alone. If China were self-contained, they would not have needed horses from the North to help their cause.

            In my opinion, Strayers strongest examples of how China was neither isolated nor self-contained are the effect China had on neighboring countries. Korea, Vietnam and even Japan after several hundred years began to simulate parts of Chinese culture into their own. Japan did this on their own accord. As Strayer pointed out, the hundred or so miles of sea separating the island nation from Mainland China help to prevent any conquering efforts. Vietnam and Korea were not as fortunate. Conquering efforts by the Chinese and the occasional colonization of Chinese settlers helped to bring Chinese influence to these areas. Again, in my opinion, if China was a self-contained isolated civilization, we would not see their influence anywhere else. Whether it is by force or by the decision of another country.

            Finally some of the goods and inventions of China go to show that this is not an isolated civilization. The ability to use silk by the Chinese was later picked up by other civilization. For example, Islamic robes were a very sought after item. Without this craft being brought from China these beautiful works of art may have never been created. The early forms of the printing press which were used to mass-produce works of the Buddhist religion made there way across the Eurasia continent. As pointed out by Strayer most cultures benefited from this with the exception of Muslims who made the choice to write each Surah in the Quran by hand. Finally we see the invention of gunpowder. We can see even today that every country across the world has used and still uses gunpowder in all forms weapons.

            In conclusion, it is apparent that the Chinese were not an isolated civilization. In fact, there inventions helped to shape the classical world.